Men's triathlon team announced
TRIATHLON, June 4, 2012: The three male Australian triathletes have today been named for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Aussie men eye elusive Olympic medal
Courtney Atkinson
Brad Kahlefeldt
Brendan Sexton
The announcement of the Women’s Triathlon Team has been delayed pending a possible appeal by Emma Snowsill.
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Aussie men eye elusive Olympic medal
Australia boasts some
of the world’s best triathletes but there is a gaping hole in the
nation’s trophy cabinet where a men’s Olympic medal could sit.
With the announcement of the men’s team for London 2012 today, Australia has that London podium in sight.
Beijing Olympians Brad Kahlefeldt and Courtney Atkinson will make their
second Games appearance, joined by young-gun Brendan Sexton.
Kahlefeldt, who was identified for nomination in 2011 after a strong
season that saw him win the Hamburg leg of the World Championship series
and post a number of other top ten performances.
Despite his early nomination, the 32-year-old who is based on the Gold
Coast has not had a dream start to 2012, with a bout of pneumonia
striking him down in recent weeks.
“It is a great feeling to be selected on my second Olympic Team for London,” Kahlefeldt said.
“Although it was hard to imagine I would be competing in London in a
couple months time when I was lying in a hospital bed with pneumonia in
San Diego for six days. That was a scare that’s for sure.”
Kahlefeldt has made a steady and strong recovery and is back on track for his Olympic campaign.
“I think the worst of the pneumonia is now over and I am back here in
Europe with my training group,” he said. “My lung is improving each day
and I am starting to feel stronger again. The Mallorca training camp
went well. I was just happy to be back into some training.
“Things are returning to normal and I’m excited, relieved and ready to press on to London from here.”
Kahlefeldt’s Beijing teammate Atkinson produced a confidence boosting
performance when he finished a close up 13th in the recent ITU World
Championship round in San Diego.
In Beijing, Atkinson was Australia’s highest finishing male with 11th
and he will be looking to improve on that performance when the men take
to the Hyde Park course on 7 August.
“To be one of Australia's triathlon representatives at the pinnacle of sport for a second time is very exciting,” Atkinson said
“Throughout the last two year process of selection I have found out so
much about myself and my racing. What really makes me tick, what works
for me but most of all what's really important to me. You just can't go
and buy those experiences.”
Atkinson plans to continue his low-key build-up of training and racing
in Encintas, California before heading to Aix Les Bains in France at the
end of June for final preparations for the Games.
“In my plans I have always known it's important for me to reach the
final few months of preparation in the right condition. That is fresh,
strong and healthy. Then I know I can give the final build-up my best.”
“The reason for being in Encintas Cali is it was the closest place I can
feel like I am living a Gold Coast life while away from home and the
training is good. Helps me stay fresh, healthy and low key.”
Rounding out the men’s team is 26-year-old Sexton who’s gold medal at
the 2012 Oceania Championships ensured Australia a third men’s position.
After topping the podium in Devonport, Sexton went on to place fifth in
the Mooloolaba World Cup in March but has since struggled for form
forcing him to reevaluate his training preparations and find his
confidence for the medal winning performance he is capable of.
“After a very disappointing DNF in Sydney [2012 World Championship] I
had a few days away from training to try and figure out what I had been
missing from my Sydney preparation,” Sexton blogged on olympics.com.au
in May.
“It took me more than those few days to put my finger on it but with
time and some honest thoughts from my closest supporters, it occurred to
me I wasn’t missing anything - I had been doing too much. Too much of
everything.
“Now…I’ve found my head clear, my body happy and my hunger to chase perfection as insatiable as ever.”
Sexton, the former Maitland (NSW) junior has been based at the VIS in
Melbourne in recent years and is currently preparing for his Olympic
campaign with the VIS group in Vitoria, Spain.
For more information contact:
Alice Wheeler
Australian Olympic Committee
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02 9336 0211 / 0418 961 184
Ian Hanson
Hanson Media Group for Triathlon Australia
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0407 385 160